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Eyre Crowe (1824-1910) was a British painter of historical subjects, domestic genre
and portraits. He was the elder brother of the art historian J. A. Crowe and cousin
to Thackeray. His father was Eyre Evans Crowe.

Drawings in pencil and ink in an album. This album belonged to the family of Eyre Evans Crowe (1799-1868) while they were living in Paris, in the late 1830s. Thackeray was a cousin
who would visit in the evening and, to amuse the children, he would tell stories while
sketching. The drawings apparently poke fun at Thackery's friend, artist John Grant Brine. The album reportedly remained in the hands of the Crowe family from that time on. [See item (27) for detailed information].

Inside album cover is annotated (in unidentified hand): "Adventures of a French Count,
unpublished story in 19 pictures, with text, by W.M. Thackeray. From the collection
of Eyre Crowe. One of the finest Thackeray items in existence! This should be published
as it is one of the most humorous works."

(3). Sitting on a barrel of gunpowder Cabrera calls upon him to abjure his religion . 1 drawing : pencil on paper ; 17 x 25 cm.Text continues: His Excellency says that he (his Excellency) will see him damned first-.

(5). After having been considerably stretched, he is left in a dungeon to mourn over his
fidelity to the Philosopher of Wittenberg . 1 drawing : ink on paper ; 19 x 25 cm.Text continues: N.B. his meals for a month are placed by him.

(7). The infamous ecclesiastic demands of the Count, whether he will have a CHOP or A STAKE . 1 drawing : pencil on paper ; 19 x 25 cm.Text continues: -meaning thereby will he be burned or decapitated.

(15). The Count had played the Cachucha for six hours . 1 drawing : pencil on paper ; 23 x 19 cm.Text continues: - all was still - Unable longer to restrain his impatience he clambered
up the wall & with one delirious bound sprang into the chamber of his Ximena. He advanced
towards her - she slept - he took her hand she slept still - forgetting evrything
except her supassing loveliness he was just on the point of giving her a ki [sic].

(17). With her fine hair falling over her lovely shoulders she pointed to the window . 1 drawing : pencil on paper ; 22 x 15 cm.Text continues: The Count awed by the presence of that superior virtue understood
the signal and went back the way he came.

(18). And now the danger over, the lovely Ximena retired to rest . 1 drawing : pencil on paper ; 23 x 11 cm.Text continues: and enjoyed those slumbers ? only wait upon the pillows of THE INNOCENT.
Peace to theee Ximena! a fairer flower never walked by the banks of the golden Manganares
a lovelier pearl never blossomed on the placid bosom of the turbid Guadalquivir.

(27). Crowe, Eyre, 1824-1910. Letter to Lady Asta? Crowe, 1898 December 9. 1 loose item.Date: 1898 This letter accompanied the album and explains the circumstances of the execution
of the drawings, as well as the provenance: "They [the drawings] recall the pleasant
time in years gone by when we boys and girls were in Paris and when Thackeray and
his charming wife accompanying him, used to pay evening visits to our parents. William
Makepeace would on these occasions ask for the album and on each successive occasion,
would draw for our amusement the series of illustrations, which have been kept by
the family ever since that time. The relish of us onlookers was the greater from the
fact that the principal figure, delineated in wonderful grotesque humour, was an exact
Portrait of an excentric Artist, John Grant."